Dana White Addresses Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen’s Confrontation

UFC president Dana White wasn’t the least bit surprised Wanderlei Silva (pictured) confronted Chael Sonnen at the Olympia Expo in Las Vegas on Saturday. In fact, White says Silva’s nickname should have been a telltale sign that trouble was coming since the bitter rivals were in the same building together.

“The guy’s name is the f****** ‘Axe Murderer.’ What do you expect?” White rhetorically asked the Brazilian media on Sunday. “This is the way he is. Brazilians, as a people, are very proud people as it is. Wanderlei is like up here (putting his hand above his head) when it comes to that.

“And he’s always had beef with Chael Sonnen because of what he said about Brazil and the way he talks about him and his people. That’s Wanderlei. As long as they don’t exchange punches or fight outside the Octagon, they can say whatever they want about each other.”

Although Silva charged at Sonnen with what appeared to be the intent of scrapping in public, Silva later released a video stating he’s a professional and wouldn’t have fought him in the street.

Sonnen was hoping to goad Silva into a tango at UFC 167, but a back injury won’t allow Silva to return to action until early 2014. Sonnen will co-headline the card against Rashad Evans.

However, that doesn’t mean the door isn’t open for Silva vs. Sonnen once “The Axe Murderer” is ready to go.

“Yeah, I think it’s a good fight for both of them,” White said of Silva and Sonnen finally settling their differences. “It’s obviously a fight that they both want, and I guarantee you, it’s a fight the people want to see.”